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The following letter received from Theresa A. Csanady was originally intended to be published in the 'Journal of Near-Death Studies,' and was sent to Dr. Bruce Greyson for that purpose. Previous commitments with Journal material prevented inclusion, so I suggested that the letter be put on my website with the rest of the controversy over my book, CHILDREN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM. All parties gave me their permission to do so. Here, then, is the sixth installment to the "Widdison Affair."
November 15, 2001
Dear Dr. Greyson:
In response to the recent controversy over Children of the New Millennium (Atwater, 1999), and as a co-participant in Children of the New Millennium, I am writing this "Letter to the Editor" of the Journal of Near-Death Studies, in support of P.M.H.Atwater's efforts to "set the record straight." While much of this controversy addresses issues related to research methodology, it is my intent, at this writing, to help clarify issues regarding publication.
It has been my experience as CO-participant in Children of the New Millennium, that many of the problems with the book were directly related to the initial problems P.M.H.Atwater had with the publisher, problems she addressed in her Response to Harold A. Widdison, Ph.D. and his Book Review of Children of the New Millennium (2001). These problems directly affected my daughter's story in Chapter Six, "Tucking it Away" and more specifically, the interpretation of the "My Family" drawing in Children of the New Millennium (p. 139). What follows is the chronology of my experience during this process.
The original manuscript, entitled Second Birth, was delivered as promised in 1997. In a letter dated February 6, 1998, Phyllis sent manuscript pages from Second Birth, Chapter Twelve, "A Child's Reality," in which my daughter's story was included. She sent these pages as a courtesy for my review, to ensure the accuracy of the information presented and ask that she be contacted regarding any changes. The first manuscript included four of my daughter's drawings, two of which were eliminated in the final manuscript. It is unfortunate that these two drawings and interpretations were eliminated in the final manuscript because these drawings illustrated and reinforced Phyllis's theory of "Tucking it Away" and were evidence of the transformation and appreciation of the experience as one ages and processes the experience. I sent Amanda's "My Family" drawing (having just found it) to Phyllis accompanied by a short note, dated March 5, 1998, knowing that it was too late to be included in the book, knowing that the manuscript had already been submitted. Phyllis replied in a short note dated March 10, 1998, asking for permission to use "My Family" in her talks and in a "presentation of drawings." Permission was granted.
In a letter from Phyllis dated July 14, 1998, she wrote, "Harmony Books rejected [her] manuscript and demanded heavy editing, cuts, and deletions, and an entirely different format one that emphasized [her] theory about Brain Shift/Spirit Shift and evolution. And, either [she] cooperate or they would hire a book doctor to do the job for them at [her] expense." In this same letter, Phyllis wrote, "version two is done and on their desk, and it forced [her] to be more upfront and forthright about [her] theories." The final manuscript was longer than the publishers wanted and would require heavy editing. She also wrote, "under no circumstances will [she] ever compromise the integrity of the research." This was the last "official" correspondence I would receive before the book was published.
At this point, I thought it possible that the "My Family" drawing might be included in version two, newly titled, Children of the New Millennium. I did not receive pages from the re-write and never saw my daughter's story until after Children of the New Millennium was published and released on August 11, 1999. Though I was glad to see that the drawing "caught up" with the book during its protracted publication process, I was distressed to learn that the information it contained in the explanation of the drawing was inaccurate. "Shown are Mom and Dad, and her two older brothers." (p. 139). I wrote to Phyllis in a letter dated August 24, 1999, alerting her to this misinformation, and reminding her that Amanda has two brothers, that she is the middle child. I had learned on the day of her "episode" that I was pregnant with her younger brother. This fact changes the interpretation of the "My Family" drawing as written in the book. I asked that the correction be made in subsequent printings if at all possible. The fact that Amanda's younger brother was born when she drew "My Family" yields to yet another interpretation and further evidence of details lost during the publishing process.
It was a thought-provoking error, the result of the rewrite and the editing process and not as written in the original manuscript, nor in any of our correspondence or telephone conversations. I checked. It was not her error, not mine, but in the editing process during which details can, and do, become distorted. Phyllis responded with a thoughtful two-page letter dated August 27, 1999. In it she wrote that "The misinformation is regrettable." and that [she] would "note this duo-interpretation whenever [she] talk[s] about Amanda's drawings. The "puzzle will inspire audiences to consider what they think the drawing means."
I remember discussing with Phyllis her dissatisfaction with the publisher's note on the back cover and recall her telling me that her input was not solicited when the cover was designed. All made sense when the final release date was timed with the new millennium. It is my opinion that the final outcome appeared to be the result of a marketing strategy. Children of the New Millennium seemed to take on a life of its own at the threshold of this new millennium and it was published despite all the problems.
With the release of Children of the New Millennium, I felt a profound sense of closure. I felt that any contributions I could make to the field of near-death studies were represented in Children of the New Millennium. Phyllis gave a voice to many, including myself. She listened with an open mind when others did not. She did so with thoughtful intent and steadfast determination for the message she carries and compassionate consideration for the participants in the book. I am honored to have participated and appreciate her acknowledgments of my contributions.
I believe that those who need to hear the message of Children of the New Millennium, will. There is a knowing, an understanding that cannot be measured, only validated. I believe that those who truly need the validation will receive it regardless of statistical analysis. Clearly, Children of the New Millennium is a provocative and controversial book that challenges existing theories.
Sincerely,
Theresa A. Csanady
E-mail address: t.csanady@worldnet.att.net
References
Atwater, P.M.H.Atwater (1999). Children of the New Millennium: Near-death experiences and the evolution of humankind. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.
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The review of CHILDREN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM by Thomas A. Angerpointner, M.D., a pediatric surgeon.
My unedited defense of my work.
And Widdison's reply to my reply that is in the same Journal issue.
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